Game
5 great farming games that aren't Stardew Valley
# 5 Great Farming Games That Aren't Stardew Valley There's no denying the colossal impact *Stardew Valley* has had on the gaming world. With its char...
5 Great Farming Games That Aren't Stardew Valley
There's no denying the colossal impact Stardew Valley has had on the gaming world. With its charming pixel art, endearing characters, and deeply satisfying gameplay loop, it has become the benchmark for the farming simulation genre for millions of players. It’s a game many of us have poured hundreds, if not thousands, of hours into, meticulously crafting the perfect farm and becoming a part of the Pelican Town community. But what happens when you’ve married every bachelor and bachelorette, reached the bottom of the Skull Cavern, and perfected your ancient fruit wine operation? You start to look for new fields to plow.
The good news is that the success of Stardew Valley has inspired a bountiful harvest of incredible farming and life simulation games. While they share the same foundational DNA of planting crops and raising animals, many of these titles offer unique mechanics, different settings, and fresh stories that make them more than just clones. They are vibrant, engaging experiences in their own right, perfect for anyone seeking to recapture that feeling of starting fresh in a new virtual home. This list is for the seasoned farmer looking for their next great adventure, a curated selection of the best farming games available that offer a compelling alternative to the beloved classic. Get ready to discover your next obsession.
1. Roots of Pacha
For those who love the community-building and progression of farming sims but are looking for a completely fresh take on the setting, Roots of Pacha is an essential experience. This game winds the clock back to the Stone Age, where you are part of a fledgling clan working together to discover the very ideas that will form the foundation of civilization. It’s a brilliant twist on the genre that reframes familiar mechanics in an exciting new light.
A Prehistoric Premise
Instead of inheriting a farm, you are a vital member of a prehistoric tribe. Your goal isn't just personal success but the prosperity of your entire community. You'll contribute to the clan by discovering "Ideas," which unlock new technologies like pottery for cooking, tools for crafting, and new methods for preserving food. This cooperative focus makes every discovery feel significant, as you are collectively building a better future for everyone. The game truly shines in its ability to make you feel like you are forging the future of farming itself.
Taming, Not Buying
Animal husbandry takes on a new meaning in Roots of Pacha. You won't be buying cows and chickens from a local rancher. Instead, you'll venture into the wild to befriend and tame wild species. This process is more involved and rewarding, creating a stronger connection between you and your animal companions. Each animal has its own preferences and behaviors, adding a layer of strategy to building your prehistoric menagerie. This unique approach provides a refreshing change of pace from the standard "buy and place" system of other farming games.
2. Sun Haven
If you've ever played Stardew Valley and wished it had more dragons, magic, and high-fantasy adventure, then Sun Haven is the game you've been waiting for. It masterfully blends the core mechanics of a farming simulator with the deep systems of a fantasy RPG, creating a unique and compelling experience.
Fantasy Farming at its Finest
Sun Haven doesn't just dabble in fantasy elements; it fully embraces them. You can choose from a variety of races, including humans, elves, and demons, each with their own unique traits. The world is filled with mythical creatures, magical crops, and powerful spells that can aid in both farming and combat. The game features a deep magic system that allows for extensive customization of your skills and abilities.
A World of Adventure
Beyond your farm, Sun Haven offers a vast world to explore, complete with dungeons to conquer and powerful bosses to defeat. The combat is more involved than in many other farming sims, with a wide array of weapons, armor, and magical abilities at your disposal. This focus on RPG elements makes for a much more dynamic gameplay experience, where your time is split between tending to your crops and embarking on epic quests. The game also features a robust main storyline with intriguing plot twists.
Deep Customization
One of Sun Haven's greatest strengths is its incredible level of customization. From your character's appearance to the layout of your farm and the skills you choose to learn, the game offers a staggering amount of freedom. The skill tree is particularly noteworthy, allowing you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle, whether you want to be a master farmer, a powerful warrior, or a formidable spellcaster.
3. Rune Factory 5
The Rune Factory series has long been a beloved alternative for those who want more action in their agricultural pursuits. As a spinoff of the classic Harvest Moon (now Story of Seasons) franchise, it has always successfully merged farming with JRPG mechanics, and Rune Factory 5 continues that tradition with style.
A New Frontier
In this installment, you find yourself in the frontier town of Rigbarth with a case of amnesia and are quickly recruited into a peacekeeping organization known as SEED. Your duties involve not only tending to your farm but also protecting the townsfolk from monstrous threats. This dual responsibility creates a compelling gameplay loop where you'll spend your days growing crops and your nights venturing into dangerous dungeons.
Action-Packed Combat
Unlike the relatively simple combat of Stardew Valley, Rune Factory 5 features a full-fledged action RPG combat system. You'll have access to a variety of weapon types, spells, and special abilities to take down a wide range of monsters. You can even tame monsters and have them join you in battle or help out on the farm, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay.
Rich Social Simulation
True to its roots, Rune Factory 5 boasts a deep and engaging social simulation system. The town of Rigbarth is filled with memorable and well-written characters, each with their own stories and routines. Building relationships with the townsfolk is a key part of the experience, and you can even choose to get married and start a family. The game's strong focus on character interaction and storytelling makes the world feel alive and vibrant.
4. My Time at Portia
For players who enjoy the building and crafting aspects of farming sims even more than the farming itself, My Time at Portia offers a delightful change of pace. While farming is still a component, the primary focus is on taking over your father's workshop and becoming the best builder in a charming post-apocalyptic town.
A Builder's Paradise
The core of the gameplay revolves around gathering resources and fulfilling commissions to craft a huge variety of items, from simple tools to complex machinery. This crafting system is incredibly deep and satisfying, providing clear goals and a tangible sense of progression as you help the town of Portia grow and develop. You'll see the fruits of your labor not just in your own workshop but in the town itself, as you contribute to major construction projects.
A Cheerful Apocalypse
Despite being set in a post-apocalyptic world, Portia is a bright, colorful, and optimistic place. The world is filled with quirky characters and charming stories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Exploring the world is a joy, with ancient ruins to discover and hidden secrets to uncover. This unique setting helps My Time at Portia stand out from the crowd of more traditional farming sims.
A Different Kind of Grind
While there's still a daily grind, it's focused more on resource management and time-sensitive commissions than on watering crops. You'll need to carefully plan your days, balancing your time between mining for ore, chopping down trees, and assembling complex contraptions in your workshop. This shift in focus makes My Time at Portia a refreshing experience for those looking for a new challenge.
5. Farming Simulator 22
If you're looking for a complete departure from the cozy, character-driven experience of Stardew Valley and want to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of modern agriculture, then Farming Simulator 22 is the game for you. This series is renowned for its realism and attention to detail, offering the most authentic farming experience in gaming.
Unparalleled Realism
Farming Simulator 22 is all about the machinery. The game features a massive roster of officially licensed vehicles and equipment from real-world brands. You'll be operating everything from tractors and combine harvesters to balers and cultivators, each with its own specific function. The level of detail is staggering, providing a truly immersive simulation of what it's like to run a modern farm.
The Business of Farming
This isn't just about planting seeds and watching them grow. Farming Simulator 22 is also a deep business management game. You'll need to keep a close eye on market prices, manage your finances, and make strategic decisions about which crops to plant and what livestock to raise. The introduction of seasonal cycles adds another layer of complexity, as you'll need to plan your activities around the changing weather.
Endless Possibilities
With vast, open-world maps set in different regions of the world, Farming Simulator 22 offers an incredible amount of freedom. You can specialize in a variety of agricultural fields, from traditional crop farming and animal husbandry to forestry and viticulture. The game also has a thriving modding community, which provides a near-endless supply of new maps, vehicles, and gameplay mechanics to explore. Plus, you can manage your farm with friends in the online multiplayer mode.
6. Conclusion
While Stardew Valley will always hold a special place in the hearts of farming sim fans, the genre is more vibrant and diverse than ever before. Whether you're drawn to the prehistoric community building of Roots of Pacha, the high-fantasy adventure of Sun Haven, the action-RPG combat of Rune Factory 5, the crafting-focused gameplay of My Time at Portia, or the hardcore realism of Farming Simulator 22, there's a game out there ready to be your next great obsession. So grab your tools, and get ready to cultivate a new adventure. The best farming games are waiting for you.